Under the hammer

It could be seen as the ultimate indignity for what was, until a week ago, the world's fastest passenger plane.

Bits and pieces from Concorde were yesterday laid out for display as they were auctioned off at Olympia, in West London.

Among the paraphernalia to go under the hammer were one of the plane's needle-sharp nosecones, a captain's cockpit seat and a machmeter - the instrument that told Concorde's privileged passengers they were flying at twice the speed of sound.

But, as might be expected at such a unique occasion, the bidding - all in aid of charity - soared almost as fast as Concorde itself used to race up to its 65,000ft cruising altitude.

And the highlight came when the nosecone went for £320,000, ten times more than had been expected.

It was bought by Hungarian-born businessman Ferenc Gaspar, 45, who lives in New York.

Mr Gaspar, 45, said: 'I don't think I have paid a lot. I think it's very cheap. I expected to pay as much as £1million or more.'

He also successfully bid for the machmeter.

His huge offer for the nosecone sent proceeds to £763,700, way past the £500,000 that auctioneers Bonhams had anticipated.

The first £500,000 raised has been pledged by BA to national charity Get Kids Going!, which gives disabled children and young people the chance to play sport.